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BNS 107 Week 4
Structure of the Nervous System
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Nerve | bundled axons that form neural "cables" connecting the central nervous system with muscles, glands, and sense organs |
| Trigger Zone | sensitive part of an axon where an action potential is generated |
| Action Potential | a neural impulse; a brief electrical charge that travels down an axon |
| Nucleus | The control center of the cell that contains DNA |
| Cerebral Hemispheres | the two sections of the cortex on the left and right sides of the brain |
| Arachnoid membrane | middle layer of the three membranes (meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord |
| Ventricle | cavities in brain which develop from the hollow interior of the nervous system |
| Sulcus | Groove/space between two gyri |
| Visual Cortex | The visual processing areas of cortex in the occipital and temporal lobes. |
| Lobes of the brain | frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal |
| Limbic system | neural system (including the hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus) located below the cerebral hemispheres; associated with emotions and drives. |
| Thalamus | receives information from all sensory systems except olfaction (smell) |
| Pineal Gland | secretes melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. |
| Midbrain | structures have secondary roles in vision, hearing, and movement. Superior colliculi and the inferior colliculi |
| Blood-Brain barrier | limits passage between bloodstream and the brain, provides constant protection from toxic substances and from neurotransmitters circulating in the blood |
| Tract | bundle of axons in CNS |
| Ganglion | group of cell bodies in PNS |
| Cortex | outer surface of brain |
| Cerebrospinal fluid | carries material from blood vessels to the CNS and transports waste materials in the other direction |
| Forebrain | - Cerebral hemispheres: large, wrinkled structures dominating brain’s appearance. - Longitudinal fissure: division running length of the brain separating cerebral hemispheres. |
| Gyrus | each ridge in surface of the brain |
| Motor Cortex | an area at the rear of the frontal lobes that controls voluntary movements |
| Prefrontal Cortex | the frontmost portion of the frontal lobes, especially prominent in humans; important for attention, working memory, decision making, appropriate social behavior, and personality |
| Basal Ganglia | a set of subcortical structures that directs intentional movements |
| Hypothalamus | plays major role in controlling emotion and motivated behaviors. |
| Corpus Callosum | band of fibers that carry information between brain hemispheres. |
| Hindbrain | Made up of the pons, Reticular formation, Medulla, Cerebellum. |
| What are the basic functions of the thalamus and hypothalamus? | Thalamus: Collect, Sort, and Direct sensory impulses to particular areas of the brain Hypothalamus: Maintains Homeostasis |
| Why does the brain have ventricles (hollow spaces)? | The fluid-filled ventricles help keep the brain buoyant and cushioned. |
| How do we know certain regions of the brain have specific functions? | When certain parts of the brain are stimulated with an electrical current, different parts of the body are affected, such as speech, sight, etc. |
| What are groups of neuron cell bodies called in the PNS versus in the CNS? | CNS: Nucleus PNS: Ganglion |
| What are bundles of axons called in the PNS vs in the CNS? | CNS: Tracts PNS: Nerves |
| What are the major regions (lobes) of the brain and what are their functions? | Frontal lobe: reasoning, motor control, language, emotion, and personality Temporal Lobe: hearing, memory. emotion, and language Parietal lobe: processing information from the body's senses Occipital lobe: vision |